Curtin Malaysia celebrates Graduation Ceremony with over 400 new graduates joining global Curtin alumni network

Miri, Sarawak – 15 May 2025 – A wave of emotion, pride and celebration swept through Curtin University Malaysia (Curtin Malaysia) on 9 May as it marked a new milestone at its 2025 Graduation Ceremony, honouring 427 graduates from the Class of 2024.

In a defining moment for Curtin Malaysia, the ceremony recognised its largest-ever cohort of doctoral graduates, with 30 PhD recipients joining 338 bachelor’s and 59 master’s degree graduates in crossing the stage to applause from family, friends, and faculty.

Held at Curtin Malaysia’s Recreation and Event Centre, the occasion was not only a celebration of academic achievement, but a powerful reminder of its journey and impact since its establishment in 1999 as Curtin University’s first international campus. Since then, Curtin Malaysia has produced over 12,000 graduates, each part of a growing legacy of excellence and opportunity.

These newest graduates now join an expanding global network of over 290,000 Curtin alumni spread across more than 160 countries, united by shared experiences and a commitment to make a difference.

Among the many achievements recognised at the ceremony, 10 graduates earned First Class Honours, 27 received Distinction Awards, and 22 were placed on the Vice-Chancellor’s List for academic excellence.

The ceremony was attended by Curtin University Council member and Acting Chancellor Damian Gordon, Acting Vice-Chancellor and Provost Professor Matthew Tonts, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Global) Professor Xiaotian Zhang, and Chief Operating Officer David Menarry. Curtin Malaysia’s Pro-Chancellor Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Dr George Chan Hong Nam, Interim Pro Vice-Chancellor, President and Chief Executive Professor Vincent Lee, faculty deans and senior academics, proudly represented the Malaysia campus.

Also in attendance were Datu Mohamad Junaidi Mohidin, Director of Yayasan Sarawak; Jolly Marikan, Assistant Director for Corporate Affairs at Yayasan Sarawak; and Sophie Horgan, Counsellor for Education and Research at the Australian High Commission in Malaysia.

In his keynote address, Pro-Chancellor Datuk Patinggi Dr. George Chan highlighted the continued regional and national recognition Curtin Malaysia receives, including its recent third consecutive ‘Employers’ Choice of University’ title in the Talentbank National Graduate Employability Index, which ranks it among the top universities preferred by leading employers for graduate recruitment.

“The fact that we are conferring 30 doctoral degrees this year is a strong testament to Curtin Malaysia’s emergence as a centre of research excellence and thought leadership,” he said. “These are the scholars and innovators who will shape our future.”

Speaking directly to the graduates, Datuk Patinggi Dr. Chan offered a heartfelt reminder: “Success is not measured by titles or income, but by the lives you enrich, the communities you uplift, and the empathy you show. Lead with heart, and you will always lead well.”

The event concluded with a moving tribute to the unwavering support of families and the dedication of Curtin’s academic staff. In an atmosphere filled with cheers, hugs, and proud tears, it was clear that the ceremony was not just an ending of the graduates’ journeys at Curtin Malaysia, but the beginning of a new chapter in their lives filled with promise, purpose, and possibility.

Giving the graduates a momentous send-off in his charge to graduates, Professor Tonts encouraged the them to embrace the values of Curtin University’s namesake, Australia’s former wartime prime minister, John Curtin, “Nurture your soul, make sacrifices, serve others, and become the leaders our future demands.”

As they stepped off the stage and into the world, Curtin Malaysia’s Class of 2024 carried more than scrolls – they carried the hopes of their loved ones, the pride of a university community, and the courage to shape the world around them.

For more information on Curtin Malaysia, visit its website at curtin.edu.my, or look for Curtin Malaysia on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, LinkedIn or TikTok.

The over 400 graduates and their family members attending the Curtin Malaysia 2025 Graduation Ceremony

Acting Chancellor Damian Gordan presents scroll to a PhD graduate

The look of pride and sense of achievement on graduates’ faces

PhD graduates beaming with pride and joy

Pro-Chancellor Dr George Chan congratulating the “scholars and innovators who will shape the future”

Master of International Business graduates celebrating their achievement

Jubilant graduates celebrate their milestone with joy and pride